About Us

Founded by renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda (JGI) is a global Non-Profit Organization that empowers people to make a difference for all living things. Our work builds on Dr. Goodall’s scientific work and her humanitarian vision.

JGI has been active in Uganda for over two decades. Since 1991, and has worked to increase the capacity of local government and forest adjacent communities to manage protected areas, engage in natural resource management planning, promote sustainable livelihoods, and educate community members about chimpanzees, wildlife, and sustainable environmental conservation.

Uganda, estimated to contain about 5,000 chimpanzees, has suffered major habitat loss due to agricultural expansion, logging and hunting. Human wildlife conflict, disease transmission between wildlife and humans, and limited income generating opportunities for forest adjacent communities are all issues complicating positive coexistence of humans and chimpanzees in Uganda.

MISSION.

To conserve chimpanzees and their habitats.

VISION.

A stable, viable and diverse population of chimpanzees living in peaceful co-existence with human communities.

OBJECTIVES.

Increase conservation of chimpanzees and their habitats.

Increase awareness of, support for and training in issues related to our relationships with one another, the environment and other animals, leading to positive behavior change.

Expand noninvasive research on chimpanzees and other primates.

Promote activities that ensure the well-being of chimpanzees, other primates and all animal.

CORE OBJECTIVES.

JGI strives to respect, nourish and protect all living things, humans, animals and the environment, as they are all interconnected.

JGI believes that knowledge leads to understanding, and that understanding encourages action.

JGI believes that every individual has the ability to make a positive difference.

JGI believes that flexibility and open mindedness are essential in enabling us to respond to a changing world.

JGI requires integrity and compassion in all that we do and say.

JGI IN UGANDA.

In 1989 four chimpanzees, Sunday, Masiko, Jim and Megan, were confiscated by local Ugandan authorities and brought to Entebbe Zoo. In September 1990, these four chimpanzees were sent to Moscow to become local zoo residents but, in fact, ended up in the hands of an animal dealer.

Upon discovering this abuse and deception the Jane Goodall Institute UK, with the help of the International Primate Protection League, located the chimpanzees in Hungary where they were once again confiscated and flown back to Uganda.

The Jane Goodall Institute was asked to send a chimpanzee expert to accompany the chimps and remain in Uganda to support and train Ugandan personnel in their care and overall conservation.

This was the start of what is now the Jane Goodall Institute-Uganda, recognized worldwide as one of the foremost experts in chimpanzee education and conservation programs. Masiko, Sunday, Megan and Jim were eventually released on Isinga Island Sanctuary near Entebbe on Lake Victoria and moved to their current home, CSWCT’s Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, in 1998.

OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH.

CONSERVATION.

Addressing threats facing chimpanzees and their habitats including disease, habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting and killing (stemming from conflict, culture, trade and consumption) using a highly customized approach tailored to each region of our operations.

STRATEGIES:

Disease Threat.

Proactively monitor and research diseases in wild populations and intervene in cases originating with humans.

Hunting and Killing (stemming from conflict, culture, trade and consumption).

Provide alternatives for individuals involved in wildlife hunting and trade.

Educate individuals directly and indirectly involved in hunting and trade, including authorities and other groups that can contribute to threat reduction.

Empowering individuals and agencies responsible for the enforcement of wildlife laws and regulations.

Intervene in hunting and trade activities to reduce profitability (snare removal, arrests, etc. Provide technical and financial support for the care of captive chimpanzees.

HABITAT LOSS & FRAGMENTATION.

Proactively monitor chimpanzee and other valuable wildlife habitats.

Assist individuals and communities in improving management of natural resources.

Proactively restore fragmented or lost habitat.

Provide alternatives that can reduce the demand on natural resources in chimpanzee habitat and educate nearby communities about their availability and implementation.

Intervene in hunting and trade activities to reduce profitability (snare removal, arrests, etc. Provide technical and financial support for the care of captive chimpanzees.

UNDERSTANDING.

Improving understanding of chimpanzees, threats to their survival and conservation strategies through applied research that can lead to greater effectiveness and efficiency in accomplishing JGI’s mission.

STRATEGIES:

Improve the effectiveness of applied research by ensuring alignment between research agendas and knowledge needs and gaps.

Improve the efficiency with which both basic and applied research is conducted to increase solid knowledge and understanding related to chimpanzees and their habitats.

Increasing awareness about chimpanzees and their threats leading to their conservation.

CHAMPIONING.

Utilize technology and research to better substantiate and provide compelling information regarding human impact on chimpanzees and their habitats.

Intervene in activities that negatively impact conservation of chimpanzees and their habitat, through advocating for laws, international agreements and increased global support.

Showcase JGI’s involvement in caring for injured and orphaned chimpanzees to not act as role models but also to demonstrate the result of negative human activities on chimpanzees and their habitats.

Advocate for the highest standards in the care of captive chimpanzees.

From Flickr

the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda in partnership with Eco-Trust and Chimp Trust is implementing an 18 months project in Uganda’s Albertine region in specific Masindi district. Project Goal. The project aims to enhance community resilience to losses from wildlife incursions through the development of local and regional compensation schemes that is anchored on a community-driven […]

The Green Lung Forest Restoration (GLF) Project was a six (6) months project from July 2016 to January 2017. The GLF project was implemented in six parishes within Hoima District in Western Uganda with the purpose of enhancing the resilience of forest adjacent communities and protective ecosystems through community-led adaptation interventions focusing on riparian forest afforestation […]

JGI focuses its main education programs around Kibale, Budongo, Bugoma and the Kalinzu/Kasyoha- Kitomi forests areas, where awareness of chimpanzees and the environment can best help protect viable chimpanzee populations. Within these areas, JGI Uganda has established an effective Environmental Education (EE) programme at the primary school level. The various elements of this programme focus […]

The project is providing an opportunity for community members in Masindi and Bushenyi districts through teachers and pupils to learn more about the forest environment, its importance and what people can do to help protect it. Specific Goals of the Project. • To equip at least 30 teachers from 30 schools in two districts with […]

The project was implemented by the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) – Uganda with funding from JGI – Austria in Cooperation with the Austrian Public Campaign “Mother Earth” Project Lifespan. The Forest Corridor Project (FCP) was implemented for one-year (January – December, 2015) and it targeted over 3,500 community members in seven (7) villages in Buseruka [...]

Our Philosophy: Is based on the belief that “every individual matters, every individual has a role to play and every individual makes a difference.” Dr. Jane Goodall founded Roots & Shoots in 1991 an environmental and humanitarian programme of the Jane Goodall Institute. The program’s mission to foster respect and compassion for all living things, [...]